May 1 is Deadline to Apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

ATLANTA--(Business Wire)--
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses in Florida
that May 1 is the filing deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loans available
in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Putnam, Seminole and Volusia
counties. The SBA declared a disaster because of a tornado and severe storms
that occurred on July 24, 2009.

"Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations that suffered
economic losses as a result of the disaster and want to apply for low-interest
loans from the SBA are urged to do so before the May 1 deadline," said Frank
Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Loans are available up to $2 million for small businesses that suffered
substantial economic injury from the disaster. These working capital loans may
be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that
could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended
to replace lost sales or profits.

The interest rate on these loans is 4 percent, with a maximum term of 30 years.
The SBA determines the amount of economic injury and the terms of each loan
based on the financial circumstances of each borrower. Eligibility for the
program is based on the size and type of business and its financial resources.

To obtain a loan application, interested business owners should contact the
SBA`s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the
hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT or by sending
an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business disaster loan
applications can also be downloaded from
www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed
to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center,
14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Victims may visit the SBA`s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
to apply for disaster loans.

The deadline for economic injury applications is May 1, 2010.

For more information about the SBA`s Disaster Loan Programs, visit our Web site
at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance

Release Number: 10-318, FL 11834

U.S. Small Business Administration
Mark Ihenacho, 404-331-0333

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